Most weekends in the summer we make a visit to Aunt Pegs and visit the park next to her complex. James has been playing here since he was in a stroller and almost every weekend in the summer. There is a huge soccer field there also which comes in handy if we want to kick a football or shoot one of James rockets off. They have a swimming pool in the summer but we never go to it, I think you have to live in the city for that. However we seldom see anyone using the pool anyway so why bother.

James Aunt Peg sometimes shops while we are at the park, James will play for about a half hour then we go pick up Aunt Peg at the store and help her with the groceries. Its a system that seems to work for everyone.

Continue reading “Oakwood Park 2008” →

The trip down from Mackinaw sometimes gives us a chance to stop places we normally don’t plan on, like this day we spent at Traverse City. The train ride goes right along side the beach and was alot of fun not only for James but for us as well. It has little crossings where pedestrians have to wait as the train putts along. The shopping district is right across the street and has not changed all that much since my last visit which was during my softball days in the 90’s. James made a friend and they had a blast building sand castles while Mary and I relaxed on the beach.

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Here’s an idea whose time has come, its called the hands on museum in Ann Arbor is a great place for kids of all ages to visit. Different activities on different floors and James might actually have learned a thing or two. James got to see himself in front of a blue screen with different backgrounds and also got to see a tornado up close. Lots of science and electronics and much of it was beyond him, but that’s why they have different floors for different ages.

I would have to say the favorite thing for James was the gear boxes and the switches. The gear boxes were fascinating because he turned one thing and a bunch of things turned, the switches were fun because, well, he likes turning on switches.

Highly recommended, glad we found this place

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As with most young children, Elmo plays a big part in their childhood activities via games, television, or talking dolls. Elmo is a hero for James and James could not wait to see Elmo when he came to the Fairlane mall – and he was not disappointed. After waiting patiently for about a half hour he finally got to see the star, Elmo of Sesame Street.

The thing I will remember about this is James getting upset when we had to leave and I had to carry him out crying, as I walked past the security guard he said “There goes a true Elmo fan” lol. However all was not lost, just on the other side of Fairlane the Easter bunny was setting up shop and with a little coaxing, James was back to his happy self again and getting his pic taken with the Easter bunny (which I will add to the Easter gallery later).

Continue reading “Elmo Comes To Dearborn 2006” →

While we were walking around the Dream Cruise on Telegraph, James got to meet Ronald McDonald at our local McDonalds restaurant and had a good time with the famous clown.

James enjoys playing in his sandbox and its relatively maintenance free, however once you fill the thing with sand it “ain’t going nowhere”. We got the sandbox and sand from Toys R Us. I guess they use a specially treated sand in these things, probably similar to what you get at the beach. The lid is to keep animals out of it (I guess they think its a glorified kitty litter box).

Many of Jame’s missing toys have been found submerged in the depth of the sand so its trouble free so to say (maintenance free and trouble free are two different things. With the exception of his little dolphin pool and the swing set slide, this is his favorite and he can spend hours playing in it (well maybe quarter hours playing in it). Its in a shaded area so he does not have issues with the sun with it.

Continue reading “James Sandbox 2005” →

This was the first time many at the Knights of Columbus met James. James did a little dancing on the floor, then enjoyed some barbecue hot dogs and potato salad.

Lots of Grand Knights and Past Grand Knights were at this well attended event. There was a small fundraiser and remembrance for 911, all sorts of games, and great grilled cooking. I never saw a hockey game that was played on grass but I have now.

Hines Park is pretty famous as parks go in Michigan, probably the most famous of all not counting sports parks. I remember coming down here as a teenager and playing frisbee at Nolars Bend. In the winter time they set up a gigantic Christmas display that you drive through in your car.

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James loves playing on his swing set, it has a couple slides, places to crawl and places to climb. Now that the cement is in and the back yard is level with new grass, the place is alot funner (and safer) to play. I felt so sorry for the toddler running in the back, only to fall down because the ground was so unlevel. Now he can play to his little hearts content and believe me, he has.

We almost bought a wooden set but I think the plastic one will serve us better and last longer. I see alot of these at garage sales so it must mean they outlast the kids childhood. I never see the wooden or metal ones at a garage sale which means they are probably scrapped. Right now, if he had a favorite, it would have to be the slide and after that the swing.

Continue reading “James Backyard Playground 2005” →

Each Sunday James and his Dad take Aunt Peg shopping and then go to a park. This weekend we chose Champagne Park where James participated in a variety of activities under the tutelage of Aunt Peg.

Champagne park is a huge park that is located on Pelham between Ecorse and Middle Belt road (on the Allen Park side of the street) and in addition to the park facilities and shelters, has an ice rink and tennis courts. James Dad remembers playing CYO baseball at Champagne park in the seventies. He also remembers helping his Aunt Criss field ground balls at the park when she was practicing for her softball team.

James had a blast here, being bounced on the teeter totter thingy and going into the monkey bar sphere which should be fun for climbing once he gets a little older.

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Nuff said…